Disclaimer: Though I wish I did, I do not actually own Inuyasha.

Kagome pulled herself out of the well slowly, her heart a cold lump in her stomach. It was over now. Naraku was dead. The jewel was complete. And Inuyasha had chosen Kikyo. Kikyo had won, she had lost. All she could do now was try and move on. And block the well as soon as possible. He'd been gone nearly a week, but eventually, she knew, Inuyasha would be looking for her; she hadn't said goodbye to anyone. Whatever. Not her problem now. She regretted that her sudden departure would hurt the others, but she couldn't think about that right now.

She slipped in the door quietly, leaving it open a crack. It was early, two or thereabouts, and everyone was asleep. She tiptoed into her room and filled her pack with fresh clothes, then dug out her purse, grabbing what little cash there was, and her credit card. She returned downstairs and scribbled a hasty note, which she left on the table: Mom- I'm back, safe. Need some time off, back in a few days, Kagome. Then, she slipped out the door again, shut it quietly, and began walking.

She laid down on the bed, staring up at the pattern the outside lights made on the ceiling. The hotel had been a good idea, she thought. No memories of home, the past, or him. It was sterile. And it had a great view, onto a downtown plaza where even this late people still wandered, chatting and laughing. She'd gotten the room for two nights, though it had cost a small fortune. Credit cards were truly amazing. Tomorrow, she decided, she'd go shopping. It had been a panacea for her, once upon a time. Right now, though, thinking in advance hurt, so she let herself escape into sleep.

Later that morning, Inuyasha jerked awake so violently that he nearly fell from his branch. Digging in with his claws, he growled down at Shippo, who was yelling at him and waving his arms around. Inuyasha sniffed the morning air, then scanned the campground quickly, searching for any obvious dangers. The only odd thing was that Kagome wasn't there. He vaulted out of the tree and landed near Shippo, who had ceased to jump and yell, but was now speaking rapidly and incoherently.

"What's going on, guys?" he asked, at a total loss. Sango and Miroku turned from the campfire and gave him cold glares. What did I do now, he wondered. Shippo continued to babble. Inuyasha crouched and grabbed Shippo, shaking him slightly. "Cut it out and tell me what's wrong." Shippo sat down, looking defeated, and shook his head. Miroku stood and crossed to the base of the tree.

"She's gone, without a word to any of us." Miroku crossed his arms and his look got even icier. "Now I wonder why that is. You are a fool, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha stared at him blankly, then grasped the most salient point. Kagome was gone. He opened his mouth to speak, but Sango beat him to it. "Don't even, Inuyasha. Nothing you say is going to fix it. Actions speak louder than words, isn't that the phrase? And all Kagome needed was for you to go wandering off with Kikyo the first chance you got, for an entire week, no less, and for you to take the Sacred Jewel with you." Inuyasha tried to speak, but Sango interrupted. "Don't even try telling us that you weren't with her," she said angrily. "Inuyasha, we're not stupid!"

"I don't understand-" Inuyasha tried again.

"No!" cried Shippo, "Of course you don't. You never do. She loved you, Inuyasha, and gods know she had reason to believe you loved her, but you threw it in her face by brining you ex back to life. Why'd you even come back to camp? Why didn't you two run off into the sunset so we'd never have to see you again!" Overcome, he jumped into Sango's arms and buried his face in her shoulder.

"Hey wait just a damned minute, here! I didn't throw anything back into Kagome's face-"

"So you're saying you don't love her? You were just playing with her?" Miroku demanded, knuckles white on his staff.

"Would you quit interrupting me?" Inuyasha yelled. "Of course I love her." He paused and flushed, unused to admitting that out loud. "The reason I went of with Kikyo was to use the Jewel to put her to rest without hurting Kagome. For the two to continue in the same world would have been too much for both, they were both of equal strength, and eventually the soul would have split, destroying them both. Kikyo's purpose for remaining in this world was to avenge herself on Naraku. She and I both knew a long time ago that I would choose Kagome above all else, but I didn't need to flaunt that in front of Kikyo." He paused to draw a breath. Sango was still glaring at him, Miroku eyeing him with a hefty amount of suspicion, and Shippo was staring at him with teary eyes.

"Feh. Forget I said anything. I'll go get her, since that's the only way you're going to believe me anyhow." He turned on his heel and launched himself into the air, continuing on until he reached the well.

Kagome's scent was still fairly strong, so she hadn't been gone too long. Without hesitating, he jumped in. After landing, he sat for a second, thinking. Contrary to what his three friends believed, he did understand why Kagome would be upset. He knew it was his own fault for not telling her, but he hadn't been sure that in the end, Kikyo would go quietly, and he hadn't wanted Kagome to see him kill a woman he had once loved. Besides, he owed Kikyo some discretion, at least. Now, though, it was obvious that his caution had done more harm than good. And he had no idea how to fix it.